As Dan Fredrickson claimed the checkered flag in the Joe Shear Classic on Sunday afternoon, Ty Majeski trailed behind by a few car lengths. However, it wasn’t until Sunday night while Majeski was traveling along Hwy 151 near Beaver Dam that he discovered he had been declared the actual winner.
Majeski’s triumph came about when Fredrickson faced disqualification due to a post-race inspection revealing an infraction. The race, which brought together the ASA STARS National Tour and ASA Midwest Tour, took place at Madison International Speedway.
I think this is the first race that I’ve actually won in tech, if I’m not mistaken. It’s part of the deal.
While making his way home to Neenah, Ty Majeski shared his thoughts in a phone interview. “I remember there was one year at Oktoberfest, we won everything but about got thrown out for everything too. I think this is the first race that I’ve actually won in tech, if I’m not mistaken. It’s part of the deal.”
The officials overseeing the tour did not disclose the specific nature of the infraction that led to Dan Fredrickson’s disqualification. However, individuals who witnessed the inspection stated that it pertained to his carburetor. As a consequence, the former champion of the 2008 Shear Classic was relegated to the last position among the 28 competitors and relinquished the opportunity to claim the $15,000 prize money.
Having taken the lead for the initial 75 laps, Ty Majeski found himself engulfed by the pack due to diverse pit strategies. Despite enduring damage from an encounter with Jacob Gomes, a competitor from the West Coast, Majeski exhibited perseverance. In the closing stages of the race, he had two opportunities to challenge Dan Fredrickson following late restarts but fell short.
Reflecting on the race, Majeski commented, “I was gonna rough him up, but you’ve got to be able to get away from him if you’re going to rough him up, you can’t let him get back to you.” Majeski and Fredrickson have engaged in spirited contests on the track, yet they also maintain a friendship and hold each other in high regard.
“I didn’t think he would rough me up, and he definitely wouldn’t have got away if he did it,” Fredrickson said. “I had a little better car than him, and he probably knew that.”
Bubba Pollard, the skilled driver from Georgia who emerged victorious in the Shear Classic back in 2019, secured the third position at the finish line but was officially credited with second place. Completing the top five were Gabe Sommers, a regular contender from Plover in the Midwest Tour; Casey Roderick, an enthusiastic participant in significant races from Georgia who triumphed in the National Tour’s inaugural race in March; and Levon VanDerGeest from Merrill.
Sunday’s peculiar circumstances seemed fitting for Ty Majeski, considering the eventful weekend he had experienced. Majeski had competed in the NASCAR truck series race in Kansas City, Kansas, on Saturday night. He then embarked on a two-part journey back to Wisconsin, resumed racing, and finally made the drive to his home in Neenah alongside his father on Sunday night.
“Toby Nuttleman, my crew chief, called me and said, ‘Hey, I think you need to come back here,'” Majeski recounted. “I replied, ‘I’m only 40 minutes away, but I have to fly to Charlotte tomorrow. I have a 6 a.m. flight from Milwaukee.’ Ahhhh… I really didn’t want to come back.”
The demanding schedule and logistical challenges had left Majeski hesitant about returning to the race track given his upcoming commitments.
Majeski, a prominent figure among asphalt super late model racers nationwide, will be back with the ASA STARS National Tour. He has his sights set on competing in the ASA STARS National Tour, contemplating a pursuit of the championship in the ten-race series. Additionally, Majeski is considering vying for the NASCAR truck title.
“I’ll continue to participate in races as they come,” Majeski stated, indicating his determined and flexible approach to his racing career.
